How a 1950’s Photograph Led to a Family Reunion

Many of you my long time readers know how absolutely fortunate I was to receive a plethora of family photographs once I started my family research.

Photographs arrived by way of large Rubbermaid boxes, snail mail, email and a lot of road trips. Identifying each of the individuals in the photographs has been a challenge. Frequently, I knew one or two of the individuals, but not the more distant relatives.

For many of the photographs, the first step was to determine if the photo was of ancestors or their friends.

Five months later I received a reply to my query.

What is your best first step to identifying unknown photographs in your collection?

SHARE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS AND ASK FOR HELP.

You may not have blog, but that’s okay. Social media today provides many opportunities to share your photos. Where should you share them?

Email – While not social media, email is still a great place to start sharing your photographs and asking for help. Email your photograph(s) to any potential relative you can. Ask them if they recognize anyone in the photograph.

AND…

Ask your relative if they know of anyone else who you could ask about the photograph.

Facebook – Do you know the county or state where your photograph was taken? If your relatives have a family group page, post your photos there.

Also, post your photograph in a genealogy or historical society Facebook group that is focused on that location. Someone may recognize the individuals in your photograph. Think of this as networking genealogy style.

As a first step in identifying your photographs, this is fairly quick and easy. Waiting to hear back requires patience!

I would love to hear your successes! Share your success story in the comments!

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[…] Both Laura and her mother Judith found me through my blog. This is not the first time cousins have found me through my blog. I hope it is not the last. The connections made go beyond gathering genealogical facts. New family connections are made. Past family connections are re-connected. […]

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About Lisa

Welcome! I'm Lisa. I believe researching your genealogy does not have to be overwhelming. All you need is a solid plan, a genealogy toolbox and the knowledge to use those tools. Read More…

What Others Are Saying

Wonderful Detailed Reports

“After both my parents died, I thought my links to my family history were lost forever. I turned to a genealogy website to try to track down information about my heritage, and found evidence that I qualified to be a Daughter of the American Revolution. Knowing that the official paperwork would require documentation of my ancestors, I turned to Lisa Lisson (no relation) for assistance. She helped track down the links between my Patriot ancestor and me, and helped me to submit my documents to become a Daughter of the American Revolution. Lisa also sent me wonderful detail-filled reports on different members of my family. I have built quite a collection of reprints of family history books based on the sources she found. Lisa’s reports and my book collection will be a resource for my young nephews when they get older and begin asking about where they came from. I can share stories of Puritans and farmers and witchcraft and Irish butchers and Indian raids and pioneers!”

Kathleen L.

2016-09-05T15:10:44+00:00

Kathleen L.

“After both my parents died, I thought my links to my family history were lost forever. I turned to a genealogy website to try to track down information about my heritage, and found evidence that I qualified to be a Daughter of the American Revolution. Knowing that the official paperwork would require documentation of my ancestors, I turned to Lisa Lisson (no relation) for assistance. She helped track down the links between my Patriot ancestor and me, and helped me to submit my documents to become a Daughter of the American Revolution. Lisa also sent me wonderful detail-filled reports on different members of my family. I have built quite a collection of reprints of family history books based on the sources she found. Lisa’s reports and my book collection will be a resource for my young nephews when they get older and begin asking about where they came from. I can share stories of Puritans and farmers and witchcraft and Irish butchers and Indian raids and pioneers!”

http://lisalisson.com/testimonials/wonderful-detailed-reports/

A Partner In Research

I have been a family history researcher for over 30 years ever since my father left me his notes on his family. Since then I have worked with a number of other researchers who have helped me find good sources as I am a stickler for documentary proof of facts.
I consider myself very fortunate to have come in contact with Lisa Lisson. She is diligent and clever about finding those small bits of data that connect people in obscure past records. Beyond that, Lisa is a joy to work with, adaptable, insightful and flexible. She takes a suggestion and works it into a plan of action adapted to my schedule and budget. Above all she is honest about what is possible and prudent in terms of cost and results. I have come to consider her a partner in my work.

Jim S.

2016-09-05T15:17:32+00:00

Jim S.

I have been a family history researcher for over 30 years ever since my father left me his notes on his family. Since then I have worked with a number of other researchers who have helped me find good sources as I am a stickler for documentary proof of facts. I consider myself very fortunate to have come in contact with Lisa Lisson. She is diligent and clever about finding those small bits of data that connect people in obscure past records. Beyond that, Lisa is a joy to work with, adaptable, insightful and flexible. She takes a suggestion and works it into a plan of action adapted to my schedule and budget. Above all she is honest about what is possible and prudent in terms of cost and results. I have come to consider her a partner in my work.

http://lisalisson.com/testimonials/a-partner-in-research/

Thank You!

Thank you for the great ideas and the incentive to get what photos we have identified. I know I have photos from that my grandmother saved that are not marked in any way and no one seems to know who they are. She didn’t share them during her lifetime, but they were found after she passed away.

Michelle T.

2016-09-05T15:25:58+00:00

Michelle T.

Thank you for the great ideas and the incentive to get what photos we have identified. I know I have photos from that my grandmother saved that are not marked in any way and no one seems to know who they are. She didn’t share them during her lifetime, but they were found after she passed away.

http://lisalisson.com/testimonials/thank-you/

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